Sample analysis substrate, sample analysis device, sample analysis system, and program for sample analysis

ABSTRACT

A sample analysis substrate rotatable to transfer a liquid includes a substrate including a rotation shaft, a first holding chamber, a second holding chamber holding a first liquid discharged from the first holding chamber, a main chamber holding the first liquid discharged from the second holding chamber, a first flow path with the first holding chamber and the second holding chamber, and a second flow path having a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected with the second holding chamber and the main chamber. The first holding chamber includes a portion farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the first opening. The second holding chamber includes a portion farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the second opening. In the second flow path, the third opening is closer to the rotation shaft than the fourth opening.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/088568 filed on Dec. 22, 2016, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2015-252322 filed on Dec. 24, 2015, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a sample analysis substrate, a sample analysis device, a sample analysis system, and a program for the sample analysis system.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a technology of using a sample analysis substrate in order to analyze a specific component in a specimen of urine, blood or the like is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology of using a discus-shaped sample analysis substrate including flow paths, chambers and the like formed therein and, for example, rotating the sample analysis substrate to, for example, transfer, distribute or mix a solution or analyze a component in the specimen solution.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Document No. 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H7-500910

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

A method for analyzing a specific component in a specimen includes a complicated reaction step performed by use of an enzyme reaction, an immune reaction or the like. A technology allowing an analysis method including such a complicated reaction step to be performed in a sample analysis substrate has been desired.

A non-limiting and illustrative embodiment of the present application provides a sample analysis substrate, a sample analysis device, a sample analysis system and a program for the sample analysis system usable for an analysis method including a more complicated reaction step to analyze a component in a specimen.

Solution to Problem

A sample analysis substrate rotatable to transfer a liquid includes a substrate including a rotation shaft; a first holding chamber located in the substrate, the first holding chamber having a first space usable to hold a first liquid; a second holding chamber located in the substrate, the second holding chamber having a second space usable to hold the first liquid discharged from the first holding chamber; a main chamber located in the substrate, the main chamber having a third space usable to hold the first liquid discharged from the second holding chamber; a first flow path located in the substrate, the first flow path having a first opening and a second opening respectively connected with the first holding chamber and the second holding chamber; and a second flow path located in the substrate, the second flow path having a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected with the second holding chamber and the main chamber. The first holding chamber includes a portion that is farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the first opening; the second holding chamber includes a portion that is farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the second opening; and in the second flow path, the third opening is closer to the rotation shaft than the fourth opening.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

A sample analysis substrate, a sample analysis device, a sample analysis system and a program for the sample analysis system in an embodiment according to the present application is usable for an analysis method including a more complicated reaction step to analyze a component in a specimen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of schematic view showing a sandwich immunoassay using a magnetic particle.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing an example of structure of a sample analysis system in an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing an example of structure detecting an origin of a sample analysis substrate in the sample analysis system.

FIG. 3A is an exploded isometric view showing an example of sample analysis substrate.

FIG. 3B is a plan view showing an example of sample analysis substrate.

FIG. 3C is a plan view showing a structure regarding transfer of a reaction solution in the sample analysis substrate shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a plan view showing a structure regarding transfer of a washing solution in the sample analysis substrate shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a plan view showing a structure regarding transfer of a substrate solution in the sample analysis substrate shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3F is an isometric view showing another example of method for holding a magnet in the sample analysis substrate.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a part of a sixth flow path in the sample analysis substrate.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 11 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 12 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 13 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 14 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 15 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 16 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 17 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 18 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 19 schematically shows an example of angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped and an example of position of the liquid during the operation of the sample analysis system.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing another example of sample analysis substrate.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing still another example of sample analysis substrate.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing still another example of sample analysis substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A method for analyzing a component in a specimen of urine, blood or the like may use a binding reaction of an analyte, which is a target of analysis, and a ligand specifically bindable with the analyte. Examples of such an analysis method include an immunological measurement method and a gene diagnosis method.

Examples of the immunological measurement method include a competitive immunoassay and a sandwich immunoassay. An example of the gene diagnosis method is a gene detection method by use of hybridization. The immunological measurement method and the gene detection method use, for example, magnetic particles (may also be referred to as “magnetic beads”, “magnet particles”, “magnet beads” or the like). As an example of such an analysis method, a sandwich immunoassay using magnetic particles will be described specifically.

As shown in FIG. 1, first, a primary antibody 304 immobilized on a surface of a magnetic particle 302 (hereinafter, referred to as a “magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305”) and an antigen 306, which is a target of measurement, are bound to each other by an antigen-antibody reaction. Next, a secondary antibody having a labeling substance 307 bound thereto (hereinafter, referred to as a “labeled antibody 308”) and the antigen 306 are bound to each other by an antigen-antibody reaction. As a result, a complex body 310 including the antigen 306, and the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305 and the labeled antibody 308 bound to the antigen 306, is obtained.

A signal based on the labeling substance 307 of the labeled antibody 308 bound to the complex body 310 is detected, and the antibody concentration is measured in accordance with the amount of the detected signal. The labeling substance 307 may be, for example, an enzyme (e.g., peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, luciferase, etc.), a chemical light emitting substance, an electrochemical light emitting substance, a fluorescent substance or the like. A signal such as a colorant, light emission, fluorescence or the like is detected in accordance with the type of labelling substance 307.

In order to obtain the complex body 310 as a reaction product by the above-described series of reactions, it is required to separate an unreacted substance in the specimen, a substance non-specifically adsorbed to the magnetic particle or the like, an unreacted substance, for example, the labeled antibody 308 not involved in the formation of the complex body 310. Such separation is referred to as “B/F separation” (Bound/Free Separation). The competitive immunoassay as an example of the immune measurement method, and the gene detection method by use of hybridization, also need to perform the step of B/F separation.

In the above, the sandwich immunoassay performed by use of a magnetic particle is described as an example. The B/F separation is needed in the competitive immunoassay and the sandwich immunoassay as examples of the immune measurement method and the gene detection method by use of hybridization, regardless of whether the magnetic particle is used or not. In the case where the magnetic particle is not used, a ligand as follows is used, for example: a ligand immobilized by physical adsorption to a solid phase formed of a material such as polystyrene or polycarbonate, a ligand immobilized by a chemical bond to a solid phase, a ligand immobilized to a surface of a metal substrate formed of gold or the like (e.g., immobilized by use of a Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM)), etc.

In order to sufficiently perform the B/F separation, it is preferred to wash the magnetic particle containing the complex body 310 with a washing solution a plurality of times. Specifically, first, the complex body 310 containing the magnetic particle is captured by a magnet in a reaction solution containing the complex body 310, the unreacted antigen 306, the labeled antibody 308 and the like, and in this state, only the reaction solution is removed. Then, the washing solution is added to wash the complex body 310, and the washing solution is removed. Such washing is performed a plurality of times, and as a result, the unreacted substance and non-specifically adsorbed substance are sufficiently removed to finish the B/F separation.

After the complex body 310 is washed a plurality of times, the complex body 310 is reacted with a substrate solution to generate a signal based on the labeling substance 307. Conventionally, an operation of generating such a signal is performed manually by an operating person by use of analysis tool or realized by a large-scale analysis device including a complicated mechanism. Under such a situation, a technology of performing the washing a plurality of times more simply has been desired.

The present inventors made detailed studies on a technology that realizes the step of performing the washing a plurality of times and the step of generating a signal based on the labelling substance 307 by use of a sample analysis substrate as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, and conceived a novel sample analysis substrate, a novel sample analysis device, a novel sample analysis system and a novel program for the sample analysis system. The sample analysis substrate, the analysis device, the sample analysis system and the program for the sample analysis system in an embodiment of the present application are as follows.

[Item 1]

A sample analysis substrate rotatable to transfer a liquid, the sample analysis substrate comprising:

a substrate including a rotation shaft;

a first holding chamber located in the substrate, the first holding chamber having a first space usable to hold a first liquid;

a second holding chamber located in the substrate, the second holding chamber having a second space usable to hold the first liquid discharged from the first holding chamber; a main chamber located in the substrate, the main chamber having a third space usable to hold the first liquid discharged from the second holding chamber;

a first flow path located in the substrate, the first flow path having a first opening and a second opening respectively connected with the first holding chamber and the second holding chamber; and a second flow path located in the substrate, the second flow path having a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected with the second holding chamber and the main chamber;

wherein:

the first holding chamber includes a portion that is farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the first opening;

the second holding chamber includes a portion that is farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the second opening; and in the second flow path, the third opening is closer to the rotation shaft than the fourth opening.

[Item 2]

The sample analysis substrate of item 1, wherein the second flow path is a capillary channel.

[Item 3]

The sample analysis substrate of item 2, wherein:

the second holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft and an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface; and the third opening of the second flow path is located in the outermost side surface or the adjacent side surface.

[Item 4]

The sample analysis substrate of item 3, wherein:

the third opening is located in the adjacent side surface; and

the second holding chamber includes a capillary cavity connecting the outermost side surface and a portion where the third opening is located to each other.

[Item 5]

The sample analysis substrate of item 4, wherein the capillary cavity is located along the adjacent side surface.

[Item 6]

The sample analysis substrate of item 1, wherein the second flow path is a flow path in which the first liquid is movable by a gravitational force.

[Item 7]

The sample analysis substrate of item 6, wherein:

the second holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft and an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface; and the third opening of the second flow path is located in the adjacent side surface.

[Item 8]

The sample analysis substrate of item 7, wherein in the adjacent side surface of the second holding chamber, the third opening of the second flow path is located away from the outermost side surface.

[Item 9]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 8, wherein the first holding chamber has first and second outer side surfaces not overlapping each other in a radial direction of the substrate, and the first side surface is located farther from the rotation shaft than the second outer side surface.

[Item 10]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 9, wherein the first holding chamber and the second flow path are aligned with each other in a radial direction of the substrate, and the second flow path is located farther from the rotation shaft than the first holding chamber.

[Item 11]

The sample analysis substrate of item 10, wherein the second holding chamber includes a first portion adjacent to the first holding chamber in a circumferential direction of the substrate and a second portion adjacent to the second flow path in the circumferential direction of the substrate.

[Item 12]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 9, wherein the second holding chamber includes a first sub chamber adjacent to the first holding chamber in a circumferential direction of the substrate, a second sub chamber adjacent to the first flow path in the circumferential direction of the substrate; and a third flow path connecting the first sub chamber and the second sub chamber to each other.

[Item 13]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 12, further comprising a magnet located close to the main chamber.

[Item 14]

The sample analysis substrate of item 13, wherein the magnet is located close to an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft among side surfaces of the main chamber.

[Item 15]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 14, further comprising:

a recovery chamber located in the substrate, the recovery chamber being farther from the rotation shaft than the main chamber; and a third flow path located in the substrate, the third flow path having openings at both of two ends thereof, the openings at both of the two ends being respectively connected with the main chamber and the recovery chamber.

[Item 16]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 14, further comprising:

a third holding chamber located in the substrate, the third holding chamber having a third space usable to hold a second liquid; and

a sixth flow path located in the substrate, the sixth flow path including a channel connecting the third holding chamber and the main chamber to each other and being allowed to be filled with the second liquid by a capillary action; wherein:

the sixth flow path has openings at both of two ends thereof, the openings at both of the two ends being respectively connected with the main chamber and the third holding chamber; and

a part of the sixth flow path is located closer to the rotation shaft than a part of the third holding chamber, with the opening being located between the part of the sixth flow path and the part of the third holding chamber.

[Item 17]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 14, further comprising:

a third holding chamber located in the substrate, the third holding chamber having a fourth space usable to hold a second liquid; and

a sixth flow path located in the substrate, the sixth flow path including a channel connecting the third holding chamber and the main chamber to each other and being allowed to be filled with the second liquid by a capillary action; wherein:

the third space of the third holding chamber includes a first portion, a second portion, and a coupling portion located between the first portion and the second portion, the coupling portion coupling the first portion and the second portion to each other;

the substrate includes a wall portion separating the first portion and the second portion of the third space from each other;

the main chamber is located farther from the control shaft than the second portion of the third holding chamber;

the coupling portion of the third space is located closer to the rotation shaft than the wall portion of the substrate; and

the sixth flow path is connected with the second portion of the third space.

[Item 18]

The sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 14, further comprising:

a third holding chamber and a fourth holding chamber located in the substrate, the third holding chamber and the fourth holding chamber respectively having a second space and a third space respectively usable to hold a second liquid and a third liquid;

a sixth flow path including a channel connecting the third holding chamber and the main chamber to each other, the sixth flow path being usable to transfer the second liquid; and

a tenth flow path including a channel connecting the fourth holding chamber and the main chamber to each other, the tenth flow path being usable to transfer the second liquid;

wherein:

the second holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft, an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface, and a recessed portion formed by the outermost side surface and the adjacent side surface; and

the third holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft, an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface, and a recessed portion formed by the outermost side surface and the adjacent side surface, and the adjacent side surface of the second holding chamber and the adjacent side surface of the third holding chamber are unparallel to each other as seen from a direction parallel to the rotation shaft.

[Item 19]

A sample analysis system, comprising:

the sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 18; and

a sample analysis device including:

-   -   a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate about the         rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined         with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is         larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller;     -   a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of         a rotation shaft of the motor;     -   a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the         rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of         the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and     -   a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program         stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the         control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the         rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based         on the program;

wherein in the case where the sample analysis substrate having the first holding chamber filled with the first liquid is mounted on the sample analysis device, the program:

(a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force;

(b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at the predetermined sixth angle to fill the second flow path with a part of the liquid transferred to the second holding chamber by a capillary action; and

(c) rotates the sample analysis substrate to move the first liquid filling the second flow path to the main chamber by a centrifugal force.

[Item 20]

A sample analysis system, comprising:

the sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 18; and

a sample analysis device including:

-   -   a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate about the         rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined         with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is         larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller;     -   a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of         a rotation shaft of the motor;     -   a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the         rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of         the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and     -   a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program         stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the         control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the         rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based         on the program;

wherein in the case where the sample analysis substrate having the first holding chamber filled with the first liquid is mounted on the sample analysis device, the program:

(a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; and

(b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined seventh angle to transfer the first liquid in the second holding chamber to the main chamber via the second flow path by a gravitational force.

[Item 21]

The sample analysis system of item 19 or 20, wherein: the sample analysis device further includes an optical measurement unit; and

the program (c) causes the optical measurement unit to perform optical measurement on the first liquid transferred to the main chamber.

[Item 22]

A sample analysis device, comprising:

a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate of any one of items 1 through 18 about the rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller;

-   -   a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of         a rotation shaft of the motor;     -   a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the         rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of         the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and     -   a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program         stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the         control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the         rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based         on the program;

wherein in the case where the sample analysis substrate having the first holding chamber filled with the first liquid is mounted on the sample analysis device, the program:

(a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; and

(b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined seventh angle to transfer the first liquid in the second holding chamber to the main chamber via the second flow path by a gravitational force.

[Item 23]

A program for a sample analysis system, the sample analysis system including:

the sample analysis substrate of any one items 1 through 18; and

a sample analysis device including:

-   -   a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate about the         rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined         with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is         larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller;     -   a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of         a rotation shaft of the motor;     -   a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the         rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of         the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and     -   a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program         stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the         control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the         rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based         on the program;

wherein the program:

(a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; and

(b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined seventh angle to transfer the first liquid in the second holding chamber to the main chamber via the second flow path by a gravitational force.

Hereinafter, a sample analysis substrate, a sample analysis device, a sample analysis system and a program for the sample analysis system in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing. In the drawings of this disclosure, a part of the components may be omitted, or reference signs thereof may be omitted, for easier understanding.

According to the sample analysis substrate, the sample analysis device, the sample analysis system and the program for the sample analysis system in this embodiment, in the case where two or more liquids held in different chambers are to be transferred to another chamber, the sample analysis substrate is rotated in various manners to prevent, with certainty, the liquids from being transferred at a timing when the liquids do not need to be transferred. For example, a certain amount of washing solution held in one or a plurality of chambers is weighed and transferred to another chamber a plurality of times to perform the B/F separation. In this case, a substrate solution held in the another chamber is prevented, with certainty, from being transferred at a timing when the substrate solution does not need to be transferred. In this embodiment, the liquid is described as a substrate solution or as a washing solution. The liquid is not limited to the substrate solution or the washing solution, and may be any of various types of liquid usable for sample analysis.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing an overall structure of a sample analysis system 501. The sample analysis system 501 includes a sample analysis substrate 100 and a sample analysis device 200.

(Structure of the Sample Analysis Device 200)

The sample analysis device 200 includes a motor 201, an origin detector 203, a rotation angle detection circuit 204, a control circuit 205, a driving circuit 206, and an optical measurement unit 207.

The motor 201 includes a turntable 201 a and a rotation shaft A inclined with respect to the direction of gravity (vertical direction) G by angle θ that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller, and rotates the sample analysis substrate 100 located on the turntable 201 a about the rotation shaft A. Since the rotation shaft A is inclined, a centrifugal force provided by the rotation and also a movement realized by a gravitational force are usable to transfer a liquid in the sample analysis substrate 100. An inclination angle of the rotation shaft A with respect to the direction of gravity G is preferably 5 degrees or larger, more preferably 10 degrees or larger and 45 degrees or smaller, and still more preferably 20 degrees or larger and 30 degrees or smaller. The motor 201 may be, for example, a DC motor, brushless motor, an ultrasonic motor or the like.

The origin detector 203 detects an origin of the sample analysis substrate 100 attached to the motor 201. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the origin detector 203 includes a light source 203 a, a light receiving element 203 b and an origin detection circuit 203 c, and is located such that the sample analysis substrate 100 is located between the light source 203 a and the light receiving element 203 b. For example, the light source 203 a is a light emitting diode, and the light receiving element 203 b is a photodiode. As shown in FIG. 2B, the sample analysis substrate 100 includes a marker 210 located at a specific position. The marker 210 has, for example, a light-blocking property and blocks a part of light emitted from the light source 203 a. A region of the sample analysis substrate 100 where the marker 210 is provided has a low light transmittance (e.g., 10% or lower), and a region of the sample analysis substrate 100 other than the marker 210 has a high light transmittance (e.g., 60% or higher).

When the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated by the motor 201, the light receiving element 203 b outputs a detection signal in accordance with the amount of light incident thereon to the origin detection circuit 203 c. In accordance with the rotation direction, the detection signal is increased or decreased at an edge 210 a or an edge 210 b of the marker 210. In the case where, for example, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated clockwise as represented by the arrow, the origin detection circuit 203 c detects a decrease in the detected amount of light and outputs the decrease as an origin signal. In this specification, the position of the edge 210 a of the marker 210 is treated as the position of the origin of the sample analysis substrate 100 (angular position acting as a reference for the sample analysis substrate 100). Alternatively, a specific angular position arbitrarily defined based on the position of the edge 210 a of the marker 210 may be defined as the origin position. In the case where the marker 210 is fan-shaped and a central angle thereof is smaller than the angle detection accuracy required for sample analysis, the position of the marker 210 itself may be defined as the origin position.

The origin position is used by the sample analysis device 200 to acquire information on a rotation angle of the sample analysis substrate 100. The origin detector 203 may have another structure. For example, the sample analysis substrate 100 may include a magnet for detecting the origin and the origin detector 203 may be a magnetism detection element that detects the magnetism of the magnet. Alternatively, a magnet described below that captures the magnetic particles may be used to detect the origin. In the case where the sample analysis substrate 100 is attachable to the turntable 201 a only at a specific angle, the origin detector 203 does not need to be provided.

The rotation angle detection circuit 204 detects an angle of the rotation shaft A of the motor 201. The rotation angle detection circuit 204 may be, for example, a rotary encoder attached to the rotation shaft A. In the case where the motor 201 is a brushless motor, the rotation angle detection circuit 204 may include a hall element and a detection circuit that receives an output signal from the hall element and outputs the angle of the rotation shaft A.

The driving circuit 206 rotates the motor 201. Specifically, the driving circuit 206 rotates the sample analysis substrate 100 clockwise or counterclockwise based on an instruction from the control circuit 205. The driving circuit 206 also stops swinging or rotating the sample analysis substrate 100 based on the detection results provided by the rotation angle detection circuit 204 and the origin detector 203 and an instruction from the control circuit 205.

The optical measurement unit 207 detects a signal (e.g., colorant, light emission, fluorescence, etc.) in accordance with the labeling substance 307 of the labeled antibody 308 bound to the complex body 310 (FIG. 1) held on the sample analysis 100.

The control circuit 205 includes, for example, a CPU provided in the sample analysis device 200. The control circuit 205 executes a computer program read into a RAM (Random Access Memory; not shown) to transmit a command to other circuits in accordance with a procedure of the computer program. Each of the circuits receiving the command operates as described in this specification to realize the function of the corresponding circuit. As shown in, for example, FIG. 2A, the command from the control circuit 205 is transmitted to the driving circuit 206, the rotation angle detection circuit 204, the optical measurement unit 207 and the like. The procedure of the computer program is shown in the flowchart provided in one of the attached drawings.

The RAM having the computer program read thereinto, namely, the RAM having the computer program stored thereon, may be volatile or non-volatile. A volatile RAM does not hold the information stored thereon unless power is supplied thereto. For example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a typical volatile RAM. A non-volatile RAM holds the information even if no power is supplied thereto. For example, a magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) and a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) are examples of non-volatile RAM. In this embodiment, it is preferred to use a non-volatile RAM.

A volatile RAM and a non-volatile RAM are both examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. A magnetic storage medium such as a hard disc or like and an optical storage medium such as an optical disc or the like are also examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Namely, a computer program according to this disclosure may be stored on any of various non-transitory computer-readable mediums, other than a medium such as air or the like (temporary medium), that propagates the computer program as a radio signal.

In this specification, the control circuit 205 is described as an element separated from the rotation angle detection circuit 204 and the origin detection circuit 203 c of the origin detector 203. Alternatively, these circuits may be realized by common hardware. For example, the CPU (computer) included in the sample analysis device 200 may execute a computer program acting as the control circuit 205, a computer program acting as the rotation angle detection circuit 204 and a computer program acting as the origin detection circuit 203 c of the origin detector 203 in a serial manner or a parallel manner. With such an arrangement, the CPU appears to be operated as different elements.

(Sample Analysis Substrate 100)

[1. Overall Structure]

FIG. 3A is an exploded isometric view of the sample analysis substrate 100. The sample analysis substrate 100 includes a rotation shaft 110 and a plate-like substrate 100′ having a predetermined thickness in a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 110. The substrate 100′ of the sample analysis substrate 100 includes a base plate 100 a and a cover plate 100 b. In this embodiment, the substrate 100′ of the sample analysis substrate 100 is circular. Alternatively, the substrate 100′ of the sample analysis substrate 100 may be, for example, polygonal, elliptical, fan-shaped or the like. The substrate 100′ has two main surfaces 100 c and 100 d. In this embodiment, the main surface 100 c and the main surface 100 d are parallel to each other, and a thickness of the substrate 100′ defined by the distance between the main surface 100 c and the main surface 100 d (distance between the two main surfaces) is the same regardless of the position in the substrate 100′. Alternatively, the main surfaces 100 c and 100 d do not need to be parallel to each other. For example, the two main surfaces may be partially unparallel or parallel to each other, or may be entirely unparallel to each other. Still alternatively, at least one of the main surfaces 100 c and 100 d may have a recessed portion or a protruding portion.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of the base plate 100 a. As shown in FIG. 3B, the sample analysis substrate 100 includes a first holding chamber 101, a second holding chamber 102, a third holding chamber 103, a first storage chamber 104, a second storage chamber 105, a reaction chamber 106, a main chamber 107 and a recovery chamber 108 located in the substrate 100′. There is no specific limitation on the shape of each of the chambers unless otherwise specified below. The chambers may have any shape. The chambers each have a space generally defined by a top surface and a bottom surface generally parallel to the two main surfaces 100 c and 100 d (FIG. 3A) of the substrate 100′ and three or more side surfaces located between the two main surfaces 100 c and 100 d. The top surface, the bottom surface and two adjacent side surfaces among the side surfaces do not need to be divided from each other by a clear ridge. For example, the chambers may each be a flat sphere or a spheroid.

The sample analysis substrate 100 further includes a first flow path 111, a second flow path 112, a third flow path 113, a fourth flow path 114, a fifth flow path 115, a sixth flow path, and a seventh flow path 117. The first flow path 111 connects the first holding chamber 101 and the second holding chamber 102 to each other. The second flow path 112 connects the second holding chamber 102 and the main chamber 107 to each other. The third flow path 113 connects the main chamber 107 and the recovery chamber 108 to each other. The fourth flow path 114 connects the first storage chamber 104 and the first holding chamber 101 to each other. The fifth flow path 115 connects the second storage chamber 105 and the third holding chamber 103 to each other. The sixth flow path 116 connects the third holding chamber 103 and the main chamber 107 to each other. The seventh flow path 117 connects the reaction chamber 106 and the main chamber 107 to each other.

A liquid may be transferred between the chambers via the flow paths in any of various methods. For example, transfer by a gravitational force or transfer by a capillary force and rotation may be used. Hereinafter, these two transfer methods will be generally described.

In the case of a flow path in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force, the liquid is movable in the flow path by the gravitational force. As shown in, for example, FIG. 2A, the sample analysis substrate 100 is supported by the rotation shaft 110 as being inclined with respect to the direction of gravity G at an angle in the range that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller. The rotation angle of the sample analysis substrate 100 is changed, so that the chamber as a transfer source that contains the liquid is located at a position higher than that of the chamber as a transfer destination. The term “higher” refers to being above in the direction of gravity G. With such an arrangement, the liquid in the chamber as the transfer source moves in the flow path by the gravitational force and is transferred to the chamber as the transfer destination. The flow path in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force is not a capillary channel described below. The flow path in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force has a diameter of, for example, 1 mm or longer.

Alternatively, the flow path may be a capillary channel. The “capillary channel” refers to a flow path that has a small cross-section and is allowed to be filled with a liquid in a part thereof by a capillary force provided by a capillary action. Transfer of a liquid via a capillary channel will be described by way of an example of structure including a chamber A and a chamber B, which are not capillary spaces, and a flow path as a capillary channel connecting the chamber A and the chamber B to each other. The liquid held in the chamber A, when contacting an opening of the capillary channel provided in the chamber A, is absorbed into the flow path by a capillary force, and thus the flow path is partially or entirety filled with the liquid. The position of the flow path filled with the liquid, and the amount of the liquid filling the flow path, are determined by the balance between the capillary force acting on the liquid in the flow path and the gravitational force.

In order to fill the capillary channel with the liquid by the capillary force, an air hole is formed in each of the chamber A and the chamber B to match the pressure in the two chambers with the pressure in an external environment, so as not to cause a pressure difference by the movement of the liquid.

In the state where the flow path is filled with the liquid by the capillary force, the liquid in the flow path is still by the balance among the capillary force, the atmospheric pressure and the gravitational force, and thus the liquid is not transferred from the chamber A to the chamber B. The liquid is not transferred even in the case where the sample analysis substrate is rotated so as to have a centrifugal force smaller than, or equal to, the capillary force act on the liquid in the flow path.

By contrast, in the case where the chamber B is located farther from the rotation shaft than the chamber A and the sample analysis substrate is rotated so as to have a centrifugal force larger than the capillary force act on the liquid in the flow path as the capillary channel, the liquid in the chamber A is transferred to the chamber B by the centrifugal force.

In the case where a capillary action is used to transfer a liquid via a flow path, the flow path has a thickness of, for example, 50 μm to 300 μm. In order to form chambers or flow paths having different thicknesses, for example, spaces having different depths may be formed in the base plate 100 a. Alternatively, spaces of the same depth may be formed in the base plate 100 a and protruding portions having different heights may be formed on the cover plate 100 b at positions corresponding to the chambers and flow paths. In this manner also, the chambers and the flow paths have different thicknesses.

As described below, a part of, or the entirety of, a flow path may be a capillary space so as to fill a part of, or the entirety of, a chamber with the held liquid with certainty. In this case, a region acting as the capillary space has a thickness of 50 μm to 300 μm as described above.

In order to transfer a liquid by a capillary force and a centrifugal force provided by a rotation, the sample analysis substrate 100 having a diameter of 60 mm may be rotated at a rotation rate in the range of 100 rpm to 8000 rpm, for example. The rotation rate is determined in accordance with the shape of each of the chambers and the flow paths, properties of the liquid, timing of transfer of, or treatment on, the liquid, or the like.

An inner surface of the flow path or the chamber on which a capillary force is to act on, and an inner surface of a portion in the vicinity of a connection portion of the chamber connected with the flow path, may be treated to be hydrophilic. The hydrophilic treatment allows the capillary force to act strongly. In order to perform the hydrophilic treatment, the above-described inner surfaces may be, for example, coated with a nonion, cation, anion or amphoteric ion surfactant, treated with corona discharge, or supplied with microscopic physical recessed and protruding portions (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-3361). In the case where the second flow path 112, the third flow path 113, the fourth flow path 114, the fifth flow path 115 and the sixth flow path 116 are spaces allowed to be filled with a liquid by a capillary action, these flow paths may be treated to be hydrophilic.

The first holding chamber 101, the second holding chamber 102, the third holding chamber 103, the first storage chamber 104, the second storage chamber 105, the reaction chamber 106, the main chamber 107 and the recovery chamber 108 are each provided with at least one air hole 122. With such a structure, the chambers are kept at the atmospheric pressure in the environment and the liquid is allowed to move between the flow paths by the capillary action and the siphon principle. The first storage chamber 104, the second storage chamber 105 and the reaction chamber 106 may each have an opening 123 usable to inject a liquid such as a substrate solution, a specimen washing solution, a reaction solution or the like. The air hole 122 may also act as the opening 123.

The spaces of the first holding chamber 101, the second holding chamber 102, the third holding chamber 103, the first storage chamber 104, the second storage chamber 105, the reaction chamber 106, the main chamber 107 and the recovery chamber 108 are formed in the base plate 100 a, and the base plate 100 a is covered with the cover plate 100 b. Thus, the top surface and the bottom surface of each of the spaces are formed. Namely, these spaces are defined by the inner surfaces of the substrate 100′. The first flow path 111, the second flow path 112, the third flow path 113, the fourth flow path 114, the fifth flow path 115, the sixth flow path 116 and the seventh flow path 117 are also formed in the base plate 100 a, and the base plate 100 a is covered with the cover plate 100 b. Thus, top surfaces and bottom surfaces of these flow paths are formed. In this embodiment, the base plate 100 a and the bottom plate 100 b respectively define the top surfaces and the bottom surfaces. The substrate 100′ may be formed of, for example, a resin such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene or the like.

Table 1 shows a combination of the substance or liquid to be introduced into the sample analysis substrate 100 in this embodiment at the start of sample analysis, the chamber to which the substance or liquid is to be introduced first, and the order in which the introduced substances and liquids are to be introduced into the main chamber. The combination shown in Table 1 is merely an example, and the substance or liquid to be introduced into the chamber and the order in which the substances and liquids are to be introduced into the main chamber are not limited to those shown in Table 1.

As shown in Table 1, the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, a specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 are introduced into the reaction chamber 106, and the complex body 310 is generated in the reaction chamber 106. A substrate solution is introduced into the first storage chamber 104. A washing solution is introduced into the second storage chamber 105.

TABLE 1 ORDER OF SUBSTANCE INTRODUCTION INTO CHAMBER TO BE HELD MAIN CHAMBER 107 REACTION COMPLEX BODY 310 1 CHAMBER 106 1ST STORAGE SUBSTRATE SOLUTION 3 CHAMBER 104 2ND STORAGE WASHING SOLUTION 2 CHAMBER 105

Hereinafter, with reference to mainly FIG. 3C through FIG. 3E, the chambers and the flow paths regarding the complex body 310, the washing solution and the substrate solution will be described in the order of the introduction into the main chamber 107 shown in the table above. In FIG. 3C through FIG. 3E, the components of the sample analysis substrate 100 that are not related or not referred to are not shown for easier understanding.

[Reaction Chamber 106]

As shown in FIG. 3C, the reaction chamber 106 is provided in the sample analysis substrate 100. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the reaction chamber 106 is a reaction field in which the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 are reacted to form the complex body 310. There is no specific limitation on the shape of the reaction chamber 106.

In this embodiment, the reaction chamber 106 is provided as the reaction field in which the complex body 310 is formed. The magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 may be transferred to the reaction chamber 106 in any of various methods.

For example, a certain amount of mixed solution of the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 may be weighed and injected into the sample analysis substrate 100, and the complex body may be formed in the reaction chamber 106.

The sample analysis substrate 100 may include, for example, chambers respectively usable to hold the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 and flow paths (e.g., capillary channels) coupling the respective chambers and the reaction chamber 106 to each other. In this case, certain amounts of the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 may be put into the respective chambers, and the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the specimen containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 injected into the respective chambers may be transferred to, and mixed in, the reaction chamber 106 to form the complex body 310.

The magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305 and the labelled antibody 308 may be dried (hereinafter, an assembly of the dried magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305 and labelled antibody 308 will be referred to as a “dried reagent”). In this case, for example, the dried reagent may be held in the reaction chamber 106, and dissolved in a liquid that contains the specimen solution containing the antigen 306, to form the complex body 310. Alternatively, the dried reagent held in a chamber at the time of measurement may be dissolved in a predetermined solution, and reacted with the specimen solution containing the antigen 306 in the reaction chamber 106, to form the complex body 310.

[Seventh Flow Path 117]

A solution containing the complex body 310 in the reaction chamber 106 is transferred to the main chamber 107 via the seventh flow path 117. The seventh flow path 117 has an opening 117 g and an opening 117 h. It is preferred that the opening 117 g is provided in an outermost side surface 106 a farthest from the rotation shaft 110 among the side surfaces of the reaction chamber 106 or in a side surface among the side surfaces of the reaction chamber 106 that is adjacent to the outermost side surface 106 a, more specifically, in a part of such an adjacent side surface including a connection portion connected with the outermost side surface 106 a. A reason for this is that with such an arrangement, when the liquid in the reaction chamber 106 is transferred to the main chamber 107, the liquid is suppressed from remaining in the reaction chamber 106. FIG. 3C shows an example in which the opening 117 g is located in a part of the outermost side surface 106 a.

The opening 117 h of the seventh flow path 117 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the opening 117 g. As described below, the opening 117 h is connected with a side surface of the main chamber 107. Since the opening 117 h is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the opening 117 g, when the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated, the solution containing the complex body 310 in the reaction chamber 106 is transferred to the main chamber 107 via the seventh flow path 117 by a centrifugal force. The seventh flow path 117 may be a capillary channel or a flow path in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force.

[Main Chamber 107]

The main chamber 107 is a field in which the solution containing the complex body 310 is subjected to the B/F separation. In order to perform the B/F separation, the sample analysis substrate 100 includes a magnet 121 located in the substrate 100′.

The magnet 121 is located close to the space of the main chamber 107 in the sample analysis substrate 100. More specifically, the magnet 121 is located close to an outermost side surface 107 a farthest from the rotation shaft 110 among a plurality of side surfaces of the main chamber 107. Alternatively, the magnet 121 in the sample analysis substrate 100 may be located at a position close to a surface of the main chamber 107 other than the outermost side surface 107, for example, on the top surface or the bottom surface thereof. Namely, as long as the magnetic particles are captured on a wall of the main chamber 107 by the magnet 121, there is no specific limitation on the position of the magnet 121. The magnet 121 may be structured to be detachable in accordance with the B/F separation, may be undetachably attached to the substrate 100′, or may be provided on the sample analysis device 200.

In the case where the magnet 121 is detachable, the substrate 100′, for example, includes an accommodation chamber capable of accommodating the magnet 121. As shown in, for example, FIG. 3F, the substrate 100′ may include a recessed accommodation chamber 120 having an opening 120 a at the main surface 100 c. The accommodation chamber 120 has a space capable of accommodating the magnet 121. The magnet 121 may be inserted into the accommodation chamber 120 via the opening 120 a to be mounted on the substrate 100′. The opening 120 a of the accommodation chamber 120 may be provided at the main surface 100 d or a side surface located between the two main surfaces 100 c and 100 d.

In the case where the magnet 121 is provided on the sample analysis device 200, a magnetic unit including the magnet 121, for example, may be provided on the turntable 201 a of the sample analysis device 200. In this case, when a user locates the sample analysis substrate 100 at a predetermined position on the turntable 201 a (magnetic unit), the magnet 121 is located at a position where the magnetic particles may be captured on the wall of the main chamber 107. In another example in which the magnet 121 is provided on the sample analysis device 200, the sample analysis device 200, for example, may include the magnet 121 and a driving mechanism that moves the magnet 121. In this case, the sample analysis substrate 100 may include an accommodation chamber usable to hold the magnet 121, and the driving mechanism may insert the magnet 121 into the accommodation chamber of the sample analysis substrate 100 or remove the magnet 121 from the accommodation chamber in accordance with the B/F separation.

When the reaction solution is transferred to the main chamber 107 via the seventh flow path 117, an assembly of the complex body 310 and the unreacted magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305 (hereinafter, such an assembly will be referred to simply as a “magnetic particle 311”) gathers and is captured on the outermost side surface 107 a or in the vicinity thereof by a magnetic force of the magnet 121 located close to the outermost side surface 107 a.

The space of the main chamber 107 may include a first region 107 f and a second region 107 e adjacent to, and connected with, the first region 107 f. The first region 107 f is a space in which a liquid is movable by a gravitational force, and the second region 107 e is a capillary space acted on by a capillary force. Therefore, the first region 107 f is thicker than the second region 107 e, and the first region 107 f is larger than the second region 107 e. Specifically, the first region 107 f and the second region 107 e each have a thickness in the range described above regarding the thickness of a flow path.

It is preferred that the second region 107 e is in contact with the outermost side surface 107 a, and that at least a part of the first region 107 f is closer to the rotation shaft 110 than the second region 107 e. The opening 117 h of the seventh flow path 117 is provided in one of the side surfaces in contact with the first region 107 f.

The liquid in the main chamber 107 is transferred to the recovery chamber 108 via the third flow path 113. As described below, an opening 113 g of the third flow path 113 is provided on a side surface in contact with the second region 102 e so as to be connected with the space of the second region 102 e.

In the main chamber 107, the first region 107 f is a space in which a liquid is movable by a gravitational force. Therefore, the first region 107 f may have a necessary size with certainty. The second region 107 e is a capillary space, and thus is filled, without fail, with a part of the liquid held in the main chamber 107. Therefore, the third flow path 113 is in contact with the second region 107 e, and thus all the liquid in the main chamber 107 is transferred to the recovery chamber 108 via the third flow path 113. Since the washing solution and the substrate solution are introduced, as well as the reaction solution, into the reaction chamber 106, it is important as features that the main chamber 107 has a sufficient size of space to hold these liquids and is capable of transferring the held liquids to the recovery chamber 108 with certainty when necessary.

[Third Flow Path 113]

The third flow path 113 has the opening 113 g and an opening 113 h. The opening 113 g is connected with the main chamber 107, and the opening 113 h is connected with the recovery chamber 108.

It is preferred that the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113 is provided in the outermost side surface 107 a farthest from the rotation shaft 110 among the side surfaces of the main chamber 107 or in a side surface among the side surfaces of the main chamber 107 that is adjacent to the outermost side surface 107 a, more specifically, in a part of such an adjacent side surface including a connection portion connected with the outermost side surface 107 a. FIG. 3C shows an example in which the opening 113 g is located in the adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface 107 a. As described above, the opening 113 g is connected with the second region 107 e of the main chamber 107.

The opening 113 h of the third flow path 113 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the opening 113 g. It is preferred that the opening 113 h is provided in an innermost side surface 108 b closest to the rotation shaft 110 among the side surfaces of the recovery chamber 108 or in a side surface among the side surfaces of the recovery chamber 108 that is adjacent to the innermost side surface 108 b, more specifically, at a position in such an adjacent side surface that is close to the innermost side surface 108 b. FIG. 3B shows an example in which the opening 113 h is located in a part of the innermost side surface 103 b.

The third flow path 113 is capable of absorbing the liquid held in the main chamber 107 by a capillary action. The third flow path 113 is thinner than the second region 107 e of the main chamber 107. This allows a capillary force to act on the third flow path 113 more strongly than on the second region 107 e of the main chamber 107, and thus a part of the liquid in the second region 107 e of the main chamber 107 is absorbed into the third flow path 113.

The third flow path 113 may further control the movement of the liquid by the siphon principle. For this purpose, the third flow path 113 includes a first bending portion 113 n and a second bending portion 113 m to form a siphon structure. The first bending portion 113 n is protruding in a direction away from the rotation shaft 110, and the second bending portion 113 m is protruding toward the rotation shaft 110. The first bending portion 113 n is located between the second bending portion 113 m and the main chamber 107, which is closer to the rotation shaft 110 among the main chamber 107 and the recovery chamber 108 connected to each other by the third flow path 113.

Herein, the “siphon principle” refers to control on liquid transmission by the balance between a centrifugal force applied to the liquid by the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 and a capillary force of the flow path.

In the case where, for example, the third flow path 113 is a capillary channel that does not have the siphon structure, the liquid transferred from the reaction chamber 106 to the main chamber 107 via the seventh flow path 117 by a centrifugal force provided by the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 fills the third flow path 113 by a capillary force of the third flow path 113. If the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is continued in this state, the liquid is not held in the main chamber 107 and is undesirably transferred to the recovery chamber 108 via the third flow path 113. At this point, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotating at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force of the third flow path 113.

By contrast, in the case where the third flow path 113 has the siphon structure, the liquid transferred from the reaction chamber 106 to the main chamber 107 is absorbed into the third flow path 113 by a capillary force of the third flow path 113. However, in the case where the sample analysis substrate 100 continues rotating at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force of the third flow path 113, the third flow path 113 is not entirety filled with the liquid because the centrifugal force is stronger than the capillary force applied to the liquid. Namely, the third flow path 113 is filled with the liquid merely to a height that is equal to the height of the liquid surface of the liquid in the main chamber 107.

In the case where the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotating at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force weaker than the capillary force of the third flow path 113, the third flow path 113 is filled with the liquid by the capillary force, and the liquid does not move any further by the capillary force.

In order to transfer the liquid in the main chamber 107 to the recovery chamber 108, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force weaker than, or equal to, the capillary force of the third flow path 113 (encompassing a rotation rate of zero). Thus, the third flow path 113 is entirely filled with the liquid by the capillary force. Then, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force of the third flow path 113. As a result, the liquid in the main chamber 107 is transferred to the recovery chamber 108.

In this manner, in the case where the third flow path 113 has a siphon structure, the reaction solution, the washing solution and the substrate solution is once held in the main chamber 107, and the B/F separation, washing of the magnetic particle, and the reaction with the substrate solution are appropriately performed in the main chamber 107.

In order to cause the third flow path 113 to have the siphon structure, it is preferred that R1>R2 (condition 1) is fulfilled where R1 is the distance between the rotation shaft 110 and the innermost side surface 108 b closest to the rotation shaft 110 among the side surfaces of the recovery chamber 108 located far from the rotation shaft 110, and R2 is the distance between the rotation shaft 110 and a position in the first bending portion 113 n that is farthest from the rotation shaft 110.

In the case where the liquid held in the main chamber 107 located close to the rotation shaft 110 is eccentrically held along the side surface of the main chamber 107 by the centrifugal force, it is preferred that R4>R3 (condition 2) is fulfilled where R4 is the distance between the rotation shaft 110 and the liquid surface of the liquid, and R3 is the distance between the rotation shaft 110 and a position in the second bending portion 113 m that is closest to the rotation shaft 110.

In the case where the third flow path 113 fulfills the conditions 1 and 2 and thus the reaction liquid is transferred from the reaction chamber 106 to the main chamber 107, the sample analysis substrate 100 may be rotated at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force applied to the liquid in the third flow path 113. With such an arrangement, the reaction solution or the washing solution transferred to the main chamber 107 is prevented from being transferred to the recovery chamber 108 as it is.

[Recovery Chamber 108]

The recovery chamber 108 stores the reaction solution, other than the magnetic particles 311, that is transferred from the main chamber 107 via the third flow path 113, and also stores the used washing solution. The recovery chamber 108 has a space of a capacity larger than the sum of the amount of reaction solution described above and a total amount of used washing solution corresponding to the number of times of washing. It is preferred that a main portion of the recovery chamber 108 holding the liquid is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the main chamber 107.

[Second Storage Chamber 105]

FIG. 3D will be referred to. The second storage chamber 105 stores the washing solution usable for washing for the B/F separation. As described below in detail, in the sample analysis system in this embodiment, the complex body 310 may be washed a plurality of times for the B/F separation. Therefore, the second storage chamber 105 has a space capable of holding a total amount of washing solution corresponding to the number of times of washing.

[Fifth Flow Path 115]

The washing solution in the second storage chamber 105 is transferred to the third holding chamber 103 via the fifth flow path 115. The fifth flow path 115 has an opening 115 g and an opening 115 h. It is preferred that the opening 115 g of the fifth flow path 115 is provided in an outermost side surface 105 a farthest from the rotation shaft 110 among the side surfaces of the second storage chamber 105 or in a side surface among the side surfaces of the second storage chamber 105 that is adjacent to the outermost side surface 105 a, more specifically, in a part of such an adjacent side surface including a connection portion connected with the outermost side surface 105 a. FIG. 3D shows an example in which the opening 115 g is located in the connection portion, of the adjacent side surface, connected with the outermost side surface 105 a.

The opening 115 h of the fifth flow path 115 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the opening 115 g. As described below, the opening 115 h is connected with a side surface of the third holding chamber 103. Since the opening 115 h is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the opening 115 g, when the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated, the washing solution in the second storage chamber 105 is transferred to the third holding chamber 103 via the fifth flow path 115 by a centrifugal force. The fifth flow path 115 may be a capillary channel or a flow path in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force.

[Third Holding Chamber 103]

The third holding chamber 103 holds all the washing solution stored in the second storage chamber 105. Then, in order to wash the complex body 310 in the main chamber 107, the third holding chamber 103 transfers a part of the washing solution to the main chamber 107 and holds the remaining part of the washing solution. As described below, the amount of the washing solution needed for one cycle of washing is weighed by use of the sixth flow path 116. Therefore, the third holding chamber 103 has a capacity larger than, or equal to, that of the sixth flow path 116, more specifically, has a capacity larger than, or equal to, the total amount of washing solution corresponding to the number of times of washing (e.g., if the washing is to be performed twice, a capacity larger than, or equal to, twice the capacity of the sixth flow path 116, and if the washing is to be performed three times, a capacity larger than, or equal to, three times the capacity of the sixth flow path 116).

The opening 115 h of the fifth flow path 115 is provided in one inner side surface that faces an outermost side surface 103 a of the third holding chamber 103 while having the space usable to hold the liquid between the one inner side surface and the outermost side surface 103 a.

[Sixth Flow Path 116]

The sixth flow path 116 includes a first portion 116 q and a second portion 116 r connected with the first portion 116 q. The first portion 116 q has an opening 116 g and is connected with the third holding chamber 103. The second portion 116 r has a second opening 116 h and is connected with the main chamber 107. The second portion 116 r is a capillary channel. A part of the third holding chamber 103 and a part of the sixth flow path 116 are generally aligned in a radial direction of a circle centered around the rotation shaft 110 while having the opening 116 g between such parts.

The first portion 116 q of the sixth flow path 116 includes a first region 116 qe and a second region 116 qf. In this embodiment, the first portion 116 q has a shape extending in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction of the sample analysis substrate 100. The second region 116 qf of the first portion 116 q is located closer to the rotation shaft 110 than the first region 116 qe. The first region 116 qe is a capillary space, and the second region 116 qf is not a capillary space allowed to be filled with a liquid by a capillary action. For example, the second region 116 qf is thicker than the first region 116 qe. When the first region 116 qe is filled with a liquid by a capillary action, the second region 116 qf is not filled with a liquid. The second region 116 qf is provided with an air hole 122. The second region 116 qf is an air path guaranteeing the movement of the air. Since the second region 116 qf is provided, even if air bubbles are generated in the liquid held in the first region 116 qe for some reason, the air bubbles easily move to the second region 116 qf to be removed from the liquid. With such an arrangement, in the case where the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated, specifically, the air bubbles are suppressed from entering the second portion 116 r. Thus, the movement of the liquid is suppressed from being disturbed.

As described below in detail, in the case where the rotation angle of the sample analysis substrate 100 is changed to an angle at which the washing solution contacts the opening 116 g in the state where the washing solution is held in the third holding chamber 103, the sixth flow path 116 is filled with the washing solution by a capillary action except for the second region 116 qf. In this state, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force applied to the washing solution in the sixth flow path 116. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3D, the washing solution is divided, along a straight line db connecting the rotation shaft 110 and position z on a plane perpendicular to the rotation shaft 110, into washing solution transferred to the third holding chamber 103 and washing solution returning to the sixth flow path 116. As shown in FIG. 4, the reference position z is defined by the border between two side surfaces s1 and s2. The side surfaces s1 and s2 are respectively located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the space of the third holding chamber 103 and the space of the sixth flow path 116. More specifically, the side surface or plane s1 is inclined toward the third holding chamber 103, and the side surface or plane s2 is inclined toward the second holding chamber, from a tangential direction dt of an arc ar centered around the rotation shaft 110. As a result of the division, the amount of washing solution needed for one cycle of washing is weighed and is transferred to the main chamber 107. The washing solution transferred to the main chamber 107 is transferred to the recovery chamber 108 via the third flow path 113 as described above.

[First Storage Chamber 104]

FIG. 3E will be referred to. The first storage chamber 104 stores the substrate solution at the start of the analysis performed by use of the sample analysis system. There is no specific limitation on the shape of the first storage chamber 104, and the first storage chamber 104 may have any shape.

[Fourth Flow Path 114]

The fourth flow path 114 connects the first storage chamber 104 and the first holding chamber 101 to each other. The fourth flow path 114 extends in, for example, the radial direction of the circle centered around the rotation shaft 110, and is a capillary channel. The fourth flow path 114 has an opening 114 g and an opening 114 h. It is preferred that the opening 114 g is provided in an outermost side surface 104 a farthest from the rotation shaft 110 among the side surfaces of the first storage chamber 104 or in a side surface among the side surfaces of the first storage chamber 104 that is adjacent to the outermost side surface 104 a, more specifically, at a position in such an adjacent side surface that is close to the outermost side surface 104 a. In this embodiment, the opening 114 g is provided in the outermost side surface 104 a. The opening 114 h is connected with the first holding chamber 101.

[First Holding Chamber 101]

The first holding chamber 101 stores the substrate solution transferred from the first storage chamber 104 during the B/F separation including the washing after the start of the analysis performed by use of the sample analysis system. The first holding chamber 101 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the first storage chamber 104. The first holding chamber 101 has a first outer side surface 101 a 1 and a second outer side surface 101 a 2, and a first inner side surface 101 b 1 and a second inner side surface 101 b 2 enclosing the space usable to hold the substrate solution. The first outer side surface 101 a 1 and the second outer side surface 101 a 2 do not overlap each other in the radial direction, and the first outer side surface 101 a 1 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the second outer side surface 101 a 2. The first inner side surface 101 b 1 and the second inner side surface 101 b 2 do not overlap each other in the radial direction, and the first inner side surface 101 b 1 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the second inner side surface 101 b 2.

The first holding chamber 101 further has an adjacent side surface 101 c adjacent to the first outer side surface 101 a 1 and the first inner side surface 101 b 1, and an adjacent side surface 101 d adjacent to the second outer side surface 101 a 2 and the second inner side surface 101 b 2. The space of the first holding chamber 101 has a shape extending in a circumferential direction while being sandwiched between the adjacent side surface 101 c and the adjacent side surface 101 d.

As described below, in this embodiment, an opening 111 g of the first flow path 111 is provided in the first inner side surface 101 b 1. The opening 111 g of the first flow path 111 described below in detail is located adjacent to a connection position in the adjacent side surface 101 d connected with the second inner side surface 101 b 2. Namely, the first flow path 111 is located at a position in the adjacent side surface 101 d that is close to the rotation shaft 110. With such a structure, a majority part of the space of the first holding chamber 101 is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than an opening 111 h of the first flow path 111. Therefore, regardless of the rotation angle at which the sample analysis substrate 100 is held, the substrate solution held in the first holding chamber 101 is suppressed from being transferred to the second holding chamber 102 via the first flow path 111.

The first outer side surface 101 a 1 is located far from the rotation shaft 110, and the space of the first holding chamber 101 includes a protruding portion 101 r contacting the first outer side surface 101 a 1 and protruding outward. Therefore, the substrate solution is held in the protruding portion 101 r of the space of the first holding chamber 101. Thus, the liquid surface of the substrate solution held in the first holding chamber 101 is separated from the opening 111 g of the first flow path 111, and the substrate solution is suppressed with more certainty from being transferred to the second holding chamber 102 via the first flow path 111.

[First Flow Path 111]

The first flow path 111 connects the first holding chamber 101 and the second holding chamber 102 to each other. The first flow path 111 has the opening 111 g and the opening 111 h. The opening 111 g is located in the adjacent side surface 101 d of the first holding chamber 101 d. The opening 111 h is provided in one of the side surfaces of the second holding chamber 102. The first flow path 111 is a flow path in which a liquid is movable by a gravitational force.

[Second Holding Chamber 102]

The second holding chamber 102 holds the substrate solution transferred from the first holding chamber 101 via the first flow path 111. The second holding chamber 102 includes a first portion 102 q adjacent to the first holding chamber 101 in the circumferential direction and a second portion 102 r adjacent to the second flow path 112 in the circumferential direction. The first portion 102 q and the second portion 102 r are aligned in the radial direction. The second holding chamber 102 is close to the adjacent side surface 101 d among the adjacent side surfaces of the first holding chamber 101. By contrast, the main chamber 107 is close to the adjacent side surface 101 c among the adjacent side surfaces of the first holding chamber 101.

The second holding chamber 102 has an outermost side surface 102 a farthest from the rotation shaft 110 and a second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 adjacent to the outermost side surface 102 a. The second holding chamber 102 has an innermost side surface 102 b closest to the rotation shaft 110 and a first adjacent side surface 102 c 1 adjacent to the innermost side surface 102 b. The first adjacent side surface 10201 and the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 are located on the same side with respect to the space of the second holding chamber 102, namely, are located to face the first holding chamber 101 and the second flow path 112. A recessed portion 102 s is formed between the first adjacent side surface 10201 and the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2, and the recessed portion 102 s separates the first adjacent side surface 102 c 1 and the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 from each other.

The first portion 102 q of the second holding chamber 102 has the innermost side surface 102 b and the first adjacent side surface 102 c 1, and the second portion 102 r has the outermost side surface 102 a and the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2.

The opening 111 h of the first flow path 111 is provided in the first portion 102 q of the second holding chamber 102, more specifically, at a position in the first adjacent side surface 102 c 1 that is close to the innermost side surface 102 b.

An opening 112 g of the second flow path 112 is provided in the second portion 102 r, more specifically, at a position in the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 that is away from the outermost side surface 102 a, still more specifically, at a position in the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 that is closest to the rotation shaft 110. As described below, in the case where the second flow path 112 is a capillary channel, the second portion 102 r may include a capillary space 102 re connecting the outermost side surface 102 a with a portion, of the second flow path 112, in which the opening 112 g is located. In this case, it is preferred that the capillary space 102 re is located along the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2.

[Second Flow Path 112]

The second flow path 112 includes a first portion 112 q and a second portion 112 r, and has the opening 112 g and an opening 112 h. One of two ends of the first portion 112 q and one of two ends of the second portion 112 r are connected to each other. The opening 112 g is located at the other end of the first portion 112 q, and is connected with the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 of the second holding chamber 102 as described above. The opening 112 h is located at the other end of the second portion 112 r, and is connected with the main chamber 107. The second portion 112 r is a capillary channel.

The first portion 112 q includes a first region 112 qe and a second region 112 qf. In this embodiment, the first portion 112 q has a shape extending in the circumferential direction. The second region 112 qf is located close to the rotation shaft 110 than the first region 112 qe. The first region 112 qe is a capillary channel, and the second region 112 qf is not a capillary space allowed to be filled with a liquid by a capillary action. For example, the second region 112 qf is thicker than the first region 112 qe. When the first region 112 qe is filled with a liquid by a capillary action, the second region 112 qf is not filled with a liquid. The second region 112 qf is provided with an air hole 122. It is preferred that the first region 112 qe is thicker than the capillary space 102 re of the second holding chamber 102. With such an arrangement, the substrate solution held in the capillary space 102 re of the second holding chamber 102 is absorbed into the second flow path 112.

The opening 112 g is located closer to the rotation shaft 110 than the opening 112 h. In order to transfer substantially all the liquid in the second flow path 112 to the second holding chamber 102, it is preferred that various portions of the second flow path 112 are located as far as the opening 112 g from the rotation shaft 110 or are located farther from rotation shaft 110 than the opening 112 g. With such an arrangement, when the substrate solution filling the second flow path 112 is subjected to a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force applied to the substrate solution in the second flow path 112, all the substrate solution in the second flow path 112 is transferred to the main chamber 107.

The total capacity of the first region 112 qe of the first portion 112 q and the second region 112 r corresponds to the amount of the substrate solution to be used for the analysis. The first region 112 qe and the second region 112 r are filled with the substrate solution by a capillary force, and thus the substrate solution is weighed.

Like in the case of the sixth flow path 116, the second region 112 qf of the first portion 112 q acts as an air path. When air bubbles are generated in the substrate solution held in the first region 112 qe of the first portion 112 q for some reason, the air bubbles easily move to the second region 112 qf to be removed from the liquid. With such an arrangement, in the case where the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated, specifically, the air bubbles are suppressed from entering the second portion 112 r. Thus, the movement of the substrate solution is suppressed from being disturbed.

In the above example, the first region 112 qe of the first portion 112 q and the second portion 112 r in the second flow path 112 are respectively a capillary space and a capillary channel. Alternatively, these spaces may be a space and a flow path in which a liquid is movable by a gravitational force.

(Operation of the Sample Analysis System 501)

An operation of the sample analysis system 501 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the sample analysis system 501. A program defining a procedure that controls each of parts of the sample analysis system 501 in order to operate the sample analysis system 501 is stored on, for example, a memory of the control circuit 205. The program is executed by an operator to realize the following operation. Before the steps described below, the sample analysis substrate 100 is mounted on the sample analysis device 200 to detect the origin of the sample analysis substrate 100.

[Step S11]

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the substrate solution and the washing solution are respectively introduced into the first storage chamber 104 and the second storage chamber 105. The substrate solution contains a substrate substance that causes light emission, fluorescence or change of the absorption wavelength by a reaction with the labeling substance 307 or a catalyst action provided by the labeling substance 307. The magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the antigen 306 and the specimen containing the labeled antibody 308 are introduced into the reaction chamber 106. For example, a liquid containing the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305 may be held in the reaction chamber 106, a liquid containing the antigen 306 and the labeled antibody 308 may be held in a chamber (not shown) provided in the sample analysis substrate 100 and may be transferred to the reaction chamber 106 by a centrifugal force provided by the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100. In the reaction chamber 106, the magnetic particle-immobilized antibody 305, the antigen 306 in the specimen and the labeled antibody 308 are bound to each other by an antigen-antibody reaction to form the complex body 310. At this point, the fourth flow path 114, the fifth flow path 115 and the seventh flow path 117 are respectively filled with the substrate solution, the washing solution and the reaction solution containing the complex body 310 by a capillary action.

[Step S12]

After the complex body 310 is generated, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated to move the reaction solution containing the complex body 310 to the main chamber 107. As described above, the seventh flow path 117 is filled with the reaction solution by the capillary action. Therefore, when the reaction solution containing the complex body 310 in the reaction chamber 106 is subjected to a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force applied to the reaction solution in the seventh flow path 117 by the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100, the reaction solution is transferred to the main chamber 107. The reaction transferred to the main chamber 107 is not transferred to the recovery chamber 108 as long as the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotating. A reason for this is that since the third flow path 113 has a siphon structure as described above, the liquid does not move in the third flow path 113 toward the rotation shaft 110 against the centrifugal force. In the reaction solution containing the complex body 310 transferred to the main chamber 107, most of the magnetic particles 311 are captured by the outermost side surface 107 a by the magnetic force of the magnet 121.

The rotation rate of the sample analysis substrate 100 is set to a level at which the centrifugal force provided by the rotation prevents the liquid such as the reaction solution or the like from moving by a gravitational force and at which the liquid is subjected to a centrifugal force stronger than the capillary force of each of the capillary channels. In later steps, such a rotation rate is set for the rotation, a centrifugal force provided by which is to be used. In the case where the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated to provide such a centrifugal force, the sample analysis substrate 100 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.

At the same time as the movement of the reaction solution, the washing solution is transferred from the second storage chamber 105 to the third holding chamber 103 via the fifth flow path 115. The substrate solution is transferred from the first storage chamber 104 to the first holding chamber 101 via the fourth flow path 114.

After the substrate solution, the reaction solution and the washing solution are all transferred respectively to the first holding chamber 101, the main chamber 107 and the third holding chamber 103, the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped at a predetermined first angle. As shown in FIG. 7, the predetermined first angle is an angle at which, in the sample analysis substrate 100, the washing solution transferred to the third holding chamber 103 does not contact the first portion 116 g beyond the opening 116 g of the sixth flow path 116, the substrate solution in the first holding chamber 101 does not contact the opening 111 g of the first flow path 111, and the reaction solution in the main chamber 107 contacts the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113. This angle depends on the shapes and the positions in the substrate 100′ of the first holding chamber 101, the main chamber 107 and the third holding chamber 103, the amounts of the washing solution, the substrate solution and the reaction solution, the inclination angle θ of the sample analysis substrate 100, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 7, it is sufficient that the direction of gravity (represented by the arrow) in the sample analysis system 501 projected on a plane parallel to the sample analysis substrate 100 is in the angle range of the sample analysis substrate 100 represented by δ1.

The reaction solution in the main chamber 107 contacts the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113 to fill the third flow path 113 by a capillary action.

[Step S13]

The sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated. Along with the rotation, a centrifugal force is generated and acts on the reaction solution and the magnetic particles 311 (complex body 310 and the unreacted magnetic particles) in the main chamber 107. This centrifugal force acts to cause the liquid and the complex body 310 to move toward the outermost side surface 107 a of the main chamber 107. Therefore, the magnetic particles 311 are pressed onto the outermost side surface 107 a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reaction solution receiving the centrifugal force is discharged from the third flow path 113 and transferred to the recovery chamber 108. The magnetic particles 311 are strongly pressed onto the outermost side surface 107 a by the sum of the centrifugal force and the absorbing force of the magnet 121 and are captured.

As a result, only the reaction solution is discharged from the third flow path 113 to the recovery chamber 108, whereas the magnetic particles 311 stay in the main chamber 107. The washing solution in the third holding chamber 103 receives the centrifugal force by the rotation but is pressed onto the outermost side surface 103 a of the third holding chamber 103 and thus stays in the third holding chamber 103. The substrate solution in the first holding chamber 101 also receives the centrifugal force by the rotation but is pressed onto the outermost side surface 101 a and thus stays in the first holding chamber 101.

After the transfer of the reaction solution to the recovery chamber 108 and the transfer of the substrate solution to the main chamber 107 are finished, the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped.

In this manner, the reaction solution and the magnetic particles 311 are separated from each other. Specifically, the reaction solution moves to the recovery chamber 108, whereas the magnetic particles 311 stay in the main chamber 107. Even after the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped, the magnetic particles 311 may be kept in the state of gathering at the outermost side surface 107 a by the absorbing force received from the magnet 121. The angle at which the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped may be the first angle, a second angle described regarding the next step or any other angle.

[Step S14]

As shown in FIG. 9, in the case of not being stopped at the second angle in the previous step, the sample analysis substrate 100 is slightly rotated counterclockwise and stopped at the second angle, which is predetermined. The second angle is an angle at which the washing solution transferred to the third holding chamber 103 contacts the opening 116 g of the sixth flow path 116. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the second angle is an angle at which the direction of gravity is located in the angle range of the sample analysis substrate 100 represented by δ2.

The washing solution, when contacting the first portion 116 q of the sixth flow path 116 f via the opening 116 g, is absorbed into the entirety of the first region 116 qe of the first portion 116 q by a capillary force, and the first portion 116 q and the second portion 116 r of the sixth flow path 116 are filled with the washing solution. Thus, the amount of washing solution needed for one cycle of washing is weighed.

In order to guarantee that the sixth flow path 116 is filled with the washing solution, the sample analysis substrate 100 may be rotated several times clockwise and counterclockwise alternately, namely, may be swung, around the second angle. At this point, the washing solution does not move from the second portion 116 r of the sixth flow path 116 to the main chamber 107 because the capillary force acts on the sixth flow path 116.

[Step S15]

Next, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated. A centrifugal force provided by the rotation acts on the washing solution in the sixth flow path 116 and the third holding chamber 103. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the washing solution that is located on the side of the sixth flow path 116 with respect to the straight line db moves to the main chamber 107 via the sixth flow path 116. The washing solution that is located on the side of the third holding chamber 103 with respect to the straight line db is returned to the third holding chamber 103 by the centrifugal force. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, only the washing solution weighed by use of the sixth flow path 116 is transferred to the main chamber 107. The washing solution transferred to the main chamber 107 is also acted on by the centrifugal force, and therefore, does not move to the third flow path 113, namely, toward the rotation shaft 110 and substantially stays in the main chamber 107. As a result, the magnetic particles 311 in the main chamber 107 contact the washing solution, and a first cycle of washing is performed.

In the first holding chamber 101, the substrate solution is pressed onto the first outer side surface 101 a 1 by the centrifugal force. Therefore, the substrate solution stays in the first holding chamber 101.

As shown in FIG. 11, after all the washing solution in the sixth flow path 116 moves to the main chamber 107, the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped at a predetermined third angle. The third angle is an angle at which the washing solution in the third holding chamber 103 does not contact the opening 116 g and the washing solution transferred to the main chamber 107 contacts the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, it is sufficient that the direction of gravity in the sample analysis system 501 projected on a plane parallel to the sample analysis substrate 100 is in the angle range of the sample analysis substrate 100 represented by δ3.

The washing solution in the main chamber 107 contacts the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113 to fill the third flow path 113 by a capillary action.

[Step S16]

The sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated. Along with the rotation, a centrifugal force is generated and acts on the washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 in the main chamber 107. This centrifugal force acts to cause the washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 to move toward the outermost side surface 107 a of the main chamber 107. The washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 are captured at the outermost side surface 107 a by the centrifugal force and the absorbing force of the magnet 121.

As shown in FIG. 12, the washing solution receiving the centrifugal force is discharged from the third flow path 113 and transferred to the recovery chamber 108. In this manner, only the washing is discharged from the third flow path 113, whereas the magnetic particles 311 stay in the main chamber 107. The washing solution in the third holding chamber 103 and the substrate solution in the first holding chamber 101 are respectively pressed onto the outermost side surface 103 a and the first outer side surface 101 a 1 and thus stay in the third holding chamber 103 and the first holding chamber 101.

After the transfer of the washing solution to the recovery chamber 108 is finished, the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped. As a result, the washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 are separated from each other. Specifically, the washing solution moves to the recovery chamber 108, whereas the magnetic particles 311 stay in the main chamber 107. Even after the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped, the magnetic particles 311 may be kept in the state gathering at the outermost side surface 107 a by the absorbing force received from the magnet 121. The angle at which the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped may be the third angle or a fourth described regarding the next step.

[Step S17]

As shown in FIG. 13, in the case of not being stopped at the fourth angle in the previous step, the sample analysis substrate 100 is slightly rotated counterclockwise and stopped at the fourth angle, which is predetermined. The fourth angle is an angle at which the washing solution transferred to the third holding chamber 103 contacts the opening 116 g of the sixth flow path 116. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the fourth angle is an angle at which the direction of gravity is located in the angle range of the sample analysis substrate 100 represented by δ4. Since the amount of washing solution left in the third holding chamber 103 is different from that in step S4, the angle range δ4 may be different from the angle range δ2.

The washing solution is absorbed into the sixth flow path 116 from the third holding chamber 103 by a capillary force of the first portion 116 q of the sixth flow path 116, and the first portion 116 q and the second portion 116 r of the sixth flow path 116 are filled with the washing solution. Thus, the amount of washing solution needed for one cycle of washing is weighed again.

In order to guarantee that the sixth flow path 116 is filled with the washing solution, the sample analysis substrate 100 may be swung around the fourth angle. At this point, the washing solution does not move from the sixth flow path 116 to the main chamber 107 because the capillary force acts on the sixth flow path 116.

[Step S18]

Next, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated. A centrifugal force provided by the rotation acts on the washing solution in the sixth flow path 116 and the third holding chamber 103. Like in the first cycle of washing, the washing solution that is located on the side of the sixth flow path 116 with respect to the straight line db in FIG. 4 moves to the main chamber 107 via the sixth flow path 116. The washing solution that is located on the side of the third holding chamber 103 with respect to the straight line db is returned to the third holding chamber 103 by the centrifugal force. In this manner, only the washing solution weighed by use of the sixth flow path 116 is transferred to the main chamber 107. The washing solution transferred to the main chamber 107 is also acted on by the centrifugal force, and therefore, does not move to the third flow path 113, namely, toward the rotation shaft 110 and substantially stays in the main chamber 107. As a result, the magnetic particles 311 in the main chamber 107 contact the washing solution, and a second cycle of washing is performed.

In the main chamber 107, the substrate solution is pressed onto the side surface farthest from the rotation shaft 110 by the centrifugal force. Therefore, the substrate solution stays in the main chamber 107.

As shown in FIG. 14, after all the washing solution in the sixth flow path 116 moves to the main chamber 107, the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped at a predetermined fifth angle. The fifth angle is an angle at which the washing solution in the third holding chamber 103 does not contact the opening 116 g and the washing solution transferred to the main chamber 107 contacts the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, it is sufficient that the direction of gravity in the sample analysis system 501 projected on a plane parallel to the sample analysis substrate 100 is in the angle range of the sample analysis substrate 100 represented by δ5.

The washing solution in the main chamber 107 contacts the opening 113 g of the third flow path 113 to fill the third flow path 113 by a capillary action.

[Step S19]

The sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated. Along with the rotation, a centrifugal force is generated and acts on the washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 in the main chamber 107. This centrifugal force acts to cause the washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 to move toward the outermost side surface 107 a of the main chamber 107. The magnetic particles 311 are captured by the centrifugal force and the absorbing force of the magnet 121.

The washing solution receiving the centrifugal force is discharged from the third flow path 113 and transferred to the recovery chamber 108. In this manner, only the washing solution is discharged from the third flow path 113, whereas the magnetic particles 311 stay in the main chamber 107. The washing solution in the third holding chamber 103 is pressed onto the outermost side surface 103 a and thus stays in the third holding chamber 103. The substrate solution is also pressed onto the outermost side surface 101 a and thus stays in the first holding chamber 101.

After the transfer of the washing solution to the recovery chamber 108 is finished, the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the washing solution and the magnetic particles 311 are separated from each other. Specifically, the washing solution moves to the recovery chamber 108, whereas the magnetic particles 311 stay in the main chamber 107. Even after the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped, the magnetic particles 311 may be kept in the state of gathering at the outermost side surface 107 a by the absorbing force received from the magnet 121. The angle at which the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped may be the fifth angle or a sixth angle described regarding the next step. The B/F separation and washing step is thus finished.

[Step S20 (Step (a, b))]

The substrate solution is first moved from the first holding chamber 101 to the second holding chamber 102. As shown in FIG. 16, in the case of not being stopped at the sixth angle in the previous step, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated counterclockwise and stopped at the sixth angle, which is predetermined. In this case, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated clockwise. The sixth angle is an angle at which the substrate solution in the first holding chamber 101 contacts the opening 111 g of the first flow path 111 and all the substrate solution may moved to the second holding chamber 102 by a gravitational force. The sixth angle is an angle at which the first flow path 111 is located generally in the direction of gravity. As a result, the substrate solution in the first holding chamber 101 is transferred to the second holding chamber 102.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated clockwise and is stopped at a predetermined seventh angle, at which the substrate solution in the second holding chamber 102 contacts the capillary space 102 re of the second portion 102 r. As a result of the capillary space 102 re contacting the substrate solution, the substrate solution is absorbed into the capillary space 102 re. As shown in FIG. 18, the substrate solution filling the capillary space 102 re is absorbed into the second flow path 112 via the opening 112 g by a capillary force, and the first region 112 qe of the first portion 112 q and the second portion 112 r of the second flow path 112 are filled with the substrate solution. Thus, the substrate solution is weighed.

In order to guarantee that the second flow path 112 is filled with the substrate solution, the sample analysis substrate 100 may be rotated several times clockwise and counterclockwise alternately, namely, may be swung, around the seventh angle. At this point, the washing solution does not move from the second portion 112 r of the second flow path 112 to the main chamber 107 because the capillary force acts on the second flow path 112.

[Step S21 (Step (c))]

Next, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated. A centrifugal force provided by the rotation acts on the washing solution in the second flow path 112 and the third holding chamber 103. The substrate solution in the second flow path 112 moves to the main chamber 107 by the centrifugal force. The substrate solution that is located on the side of the second holding chamber 102 with respect to the opening 112 g is pressed onto the outermost side surface 102 a of the second holding chamber 102 by a centrifugal force and thus stays in the second holding chamber 102.

The substrate solution moved to the main chamber 107 contains a substrate substance. As a result of the substrate substance reacting with the labeling substance 307 contained in the labeled antibody 308 in the magnetic particles 311 held in the main chamber 107, or as a result of a catalyst reaction of the labeling substance 307, light emission, fluorescence or change in the absorption wavelength occurs.

After the transfer of the substrate solution to the main chamber 107 is finished, as shown in FIG. 19, the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 is stopped at an eight angle. The eight angle is an angle at which the main chamber 107 is located at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical measurement unit 207 such that the light receiving element of the optical measurement unit 207 is, for example, close to the main chamber 107 so as to detect the light emission, fluorescence or change in the absorption wavelength of the substrate solution in main chamber 107.

[Step 22 (d)]

The optical measurement unit 207 performs optical measurement on a liquid held in the main chamber 107. Specifically, the optical measurement unit 207 detects a signal such as the colorant, light emission, fluorescence or the like of the substrate substance in accordance with the labeling substance 307 of the labeled antibody 308 bound to the complex body 310 contained in the magnetic particles 311. Thus, the detection of the antigen 306, the quantization of the concentration of the antigen 306, or the like is performed.

The optical measurement by the optical measurement unit 207 may be performed in the state where the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotating. In this case, in step S21, after the transfer of the substrate solution to the main chamber 107 is finished, a signal such as the colorant, light emission, fluorescence or the like of the substrate substance S3 may be detected in the state where the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotating.

As described above, in this embodiment, the reaction solution, the substrate solution and the washing solution are respectively introduced into the reaction chamber 106, the first storage chamber 104 and the second storage chamber 105, and are sequentially transferred to the main chamber 107. It is preferred that the substrate solution, which is transferred last, is held with certainty so as not to be transferred to the main chamber 107 until the reaction solution and the washing solution are transferred to the main chamber 107. In this embodiment, the first holding chamber 101 holding the substrate solution during the B/F separation and washing step has a space extending in the circumferential direction. In addition, the first holding chamber 101 has the opening of the first flow path 111 provided in one of two adjacent side surfaces thereof adjacent to the outermost side surface. The side surface having the opening faces the adjacent side surface close to the reaction chamber 106, the third holding chamber 103 holding the washing solution and the main chamber 107 and is located farther from these chambers. More specifically, the opening is provided at a position in such an adjacent side surface that is close to the rotation shaft 110. Therefore, regardless of the angle at which the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated, the substrate solution does not easily contact the opening 111 g of the first flow path 111 and is suppressed from being transferred to the second holding chamber 102.

(Other Embodiments of the Sample Analysis Substrate 100)

The sample analysis substrate 100 in the above-described embodiment may be modified in various manners.

[Another Example of the Second Flow Path 112]

In the above-described embodiment, the first region 116 qe of the first portion 112 q of the second flow path 112 is a capillary space, and the second portion 112 r is a capillary channel. Alternatively, the second flow path may be a space in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force.

In this case, all the substrate solution held in the second holding chamber 102 may be transferred to the main chamber 107 via the second flow path 112. For example, in step S20, the sample analysis substrate is stopped at the sixth angle, and the substrate solution in the first holding chamber 101 is moved to the second holding chamber 102 via the first flow path 111.

Next, the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated clockwise and stopped at the predetermined seventh angle. At the seventh angle, the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction such that the opening 112 g is below the second adjacent side surface 102 c 2 in the direction of gravity. As a result, all the substrate solution in the second holding chamber 102 moves to the second flow path 112 via the opening 112 g by the gravity. The substrate solution moved to the second flow path 112 is further moved to the main chamber 107 by the gravitational force.

In the case where all the substrate solution introduced into the first storage chamber 105 is to be moved to the main chamber 107, it is not necessary to weigh the substrate solution in the second flow path 112. This simplifies the procedure of controlling the rotation of the sample analysis substrate 100 in order to move the substrate solution.

[Another Example of the Second Holding Chamber 102]

In the sample analysis substrate 100, the second holding chamber 102 may be divided into two. In a sample analysis substrate 161 shown in FIG. 20, the second holding chamber 102 includes a first sub chamber 102A, a second sub chamber 102B and an eighth flow path 118. The first sub chamber 102A is generally aligned with the first holding chamber 101 in the circumferential direction and is connected with the first holding chamber 101 via the first flow path 111. The second sub chamber 102B is generally aligned with the third flow path 113 in the circumferential direction. The first sub chamber 102A and the second sub chamber 102B are generally aligned with each other in the radial direction, and are connected with each other via the eighth flow path 118. A capillary space 102Be is provided along an outermost side surface 102Ba, which is farthest from the rotation shaft 110 among side surfaces of the second sub chamber 102B. A capillary space 102Be is provided along an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface 102Ba and connects the opening 112 g of the second flow path 112 and a capillary space 102 be to each other.

In the sample analysis substrate 161, all the substrate solution held in the first holding chamber 101 is transferred to the first sub chamber 102A via the first flow path 111. Then, the substrate solution is transferred from the first sub chamber 102A to the second sub chamber 102B via the eighth flow path 118. The substrate substance transferred to the second sub chamber 102B contacts the capillary space 102Be and the capillary space 102Be in the second sub chamber 102B to be absorbed into the second flow path 112 by a capillary force.

The division of the second holding chamber 120 into two allows the substrate solution to be transferred step by step by use of smaller spaces. This increases the controllability on the transfer of the substrate solution. Therefore, during the B/F separation and washing step, the substrate solution is suppressed with more certainty from being transferred to the main chamber 107 by mistake.

[Another Example of the Third Holding Chamber and the Sixth Flow Path 116]

In the above-described embodiment, the washing solution is weighed by use of the sixth flow path 116. Alternatively, the washing solution may be weighed by use of the third holding chamber. A sample analysis substrate 162 shown in FIG. 21 includes a third holding chamber 133, which includes a first portion 133 q, a second portion 133 r, and a coupling portion 133 p connecting the second portion 133 r and the first portion 133 q to each other.

In this embodiment, the second portion 133 r and a part of the first portion 133 q are located generally on the same circumference centered around the rotation shaft 110. A wall portion 100 f formed of an inner surface of the substrate 100′ is located between second portion 133 r and the first portion 133 q. The wall portion 100 f separates the second portion 133 r and the first portion 133 q from each other. The coupling portion 133 p is located on the same radius with the wall portion 100 f of the substrate 100′ and is located closer to the rotation shaft 110 than the wall portion 100 f. The coupling portion 133 p is not filled with a liquid by a capillary action, and causes the liquid to move between the first portion 133 q and the second portion 133 r by a gravitational force.

The second portion 133 r includes a portion 133 re located outer (in a direction away from the rotation shaft 110) to an arc ca. The arc ca is centered around the rotation shaft 110 and has, as a radius, a line segment connecting the rotation shaft 110 and a point 100 e in the wall portion 100 f that is closest to the rotation shaft. The portion 133 re is usable to weigh a predetermined amount of washing solution needed for one cycle of washing.

The distance from the rotation shaft 110 to the opening 116 g, of the sixth flow path 116, provided in the second portion 133 r is longer than the distance from the rotation shaft 110 to the point 100 e in the wall portion 100 f that is closest to the rotation shaft 110. Therefore, the washing solution weighed by use of the portion 133 re is transferred from the sixth flow path 116 to the main chamber 107 by a centrifugal force provided by the rotation.

The first portion 133 q of the third holding chamber 133 includes a side portion 133 qt and a bottom portion 133 qs. The side portion 133 qt is located to the side of the second storage chamber 105 on a circumference entered around the rotation shaft 110. The bottom portion 133 qs is located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the second storage chamber 105. A part of the side portion 133 qt and the entirety of the bottom portion 133 qs of the first portion 133 q are located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the second portion 133 r.

Preferably, the side portion 133 qt includes a portion 133 qt′ located closer to the rotation shaft 110 than the arc ca, and a portion 133 qt″ located outer to the arc ca. As described above, the portion 133 qt′ is adjacent to the first portion 133 q in the circumferential direction and is connected with the coupling portion 133 p.

It is preferred that portions of the first portion 133 q of the third holding chamber 133 that are outer (in a direction away from the rotation shaft 110) to the arc ca, namely, the portion 133 qt″ and the bottom portion 133 qs have a total capacity larger than the total amount of the washing solution held in the second storage chamber 105.

The space of the third holding chamber 133 includes the bottom portion 133 qs. Therefore, in the state where the sample analysis substrate 162 is stopped at a predetermined angle, a part of the washing solution held in the second storage chamber 105 fills the fifth flow path 115 by a capillary action. The sample analysis substrate 162 is rotated in the state where the fifth flow path 115 is filled with the washing solution, and thus the washing solution in the second storage chamber 105 is transferred to the bottom portion 133 qs via the fifth flow path 115 by a centrifugal force provided by the rotation.

In the case where the sample analysis substrate 162 is held at a predetermined angle, a part of the washing solution transferred to the bottom portion 133 qs of the third holding chamber 133 flows into the second portion 133 r via the coupling portion 133 p by a gravitational force, and fills at least a part of the second portion 133 r. Then, when the sample analysis substrate 100 is rotated, a centrifugal force acts on the washing solution filling the second portion 133 r. As a result, an extra portion of the washing solution held in the second portion 133 r is returned to the first portion 133 q, such that the arc ca (represented by the dotted line in FIG. 3A) having, as the radius, the line segment connecting the rotation shaft 110 and the point 100 e in the wall portion 100 f that is closest to the rotation shaft 110 matches the liquid surface of the washing solution in the second portion 133 r. Thus, a predetermined amount of washing liquid is weighed. The capacity of the portion of the second portion 133 r that is located outer to the arc ca having, as the radius, the line segment connecting the rotation shaft 110 and the point 100 e in the wall portion 100 f that is closest to the rotation shaft 110 is ½ or less of the capacity of the third holding chamber 133.

In the example shown in FIG. 21, the first portion 133 q includes a part of the side portion 133 qt and the bottom portion 133 qs. It is sufficient that the first portion 133 q includes the portion outer to the arc that is centered around the rotation shaft 110 and has, as the radius, the line segment connecting the rotation shaft 110 and the point 100 e in the wall portion 100 f that is closest to the rotation shaft 110.

The certain amount of washing solution weighed by use of the third holding chamber 133 fills the sixth flow path 116 by a capillary action. Then, the sample analysis substrate 162 is rotated at a rotation rate that provides a centrifugal force larger than the capillary force applied to the liquid in the sixth flow path 116, and thus the washing liquid is transferred to the main chamber 107 via the sixth flow path 116 by a centrifugal force provided by the rotation.

[Another Example of the Chamber Holding the Washing Solution]

In the above-described embodiment, the third holding chamber 103 holds the washing solution needed for a plurality of cycles of washing. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of chambers each holding the washing solution needed for one cycle of washing.

A sample analysis substrate 163 shown in FIG. 22 includes a second storage chamber 105A, a third storage chamber 105B, a fifth flow path 115A, a ninth flow path 115B, a third holding chamber 103A, a fourth holding chamber 103B, a sixth flow path 116A and a tenth flow path 116B.

The second storage chamber 105A, the fifth flow path 115A, the third holding chamber 103A and the sixth flow path 116A hold the washing solution needed for one cycle of washing and form a channel transferring the washing solution to the main chamber 107. The third storage chamber 105B, the ninth flow path 115B, the fourth holding chamber 103B and the tenth flow path 116B hold the washing solution needed for one cycle of washing and form a channel transferring the washing solution to the main chamber 107.

The fifth flow path 115A connects the second storage chamber 105A and the third holding chamber 103A to each other, and the ninth flow path 115B connects the third storage chamber 105B and the fourth storage chamber 103B to each other. The sixth flow path 116A connects the third holding chamber 103A and the main chamber 107 to each other. The tenth flow path 116B connects the fourth holding chamber 103B and the main chamber 107 to each other.

The fifth flow path 115A and the ninth flow path 115B are capillary channels, and each have a siphon structure. By contrast, the sixth flow path 116A and the tenth flow path 116B each have a structure in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force. The third holding chamber 103A and the sixth flow path 116A are respectively located farther from the rotation shaft 110 than the second storage chamber 105A and the third storage chamber 105B. The sixth flow path 116A and the tenth flow path 106B are flow paths in which a liquid is transferable by a gravitational force.

The third holding chamber 103A has an outermost side surface 103Aa and an adjacent side surface 103Ac adjacent to the outermost side surface 103Aa. A tapering surface, a curved surface or the like smoothing the angle (ridge) may be provided between the outermost side surface 103Aa and the adjacent side surface 103Ac. An opening 116Ag of the sixth flow path 116A is located at an one of two ends of the adjacent side surface 103Ac at which the outermost side surface 103Aa is not located. The outermost side surface 103Aa and the adjacent side surface 103Ac form a recessed portion opened toward the rotation shaft 110, and the recessed portion holds the washing liquid needed for one cycle of washing.

Similarly, the fourth holding chamber 103B includes an outermost side surface 103Ba and an adjacent side surface 103Bc adjacent to the outermost side surface 103Ba. A tapering surface, a curved surface or the like smoothing the angle (ridge) may be provided between the outermost side surface 103Ba and the adjacent side surface 103Bc. An opening 116Bg of the tenth flow path 116B is located at an one of two ends of the adjacent side surface 103Be at which the outermost side surface 103Ba is not located. The outermost side surface 103Ba and the adjacent side surface 103Be form a recessed portion opened toward the rotation shaft 110, and the recessed portion holds the washing liquid needed for one cycle of washing.

As shown in FIG. 22, two regions are separated from each other by a line segment connecting the center of the main chamber 107 and the rotation shaft 110. The third holding chamber 103A and the fourth holding chamber 103B are both located in the same region.

The sample analysis substrate 163 is supported such that the rotation shaft 110 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller, so as to allow the recessed portion of the third holding chamber 103A and the recessed portion of the fourth holding chamber 103B to hold a liquid. The sample analysis substrate 163 is held at a predetermined rotation angle such that the main chamber 107 is located below the third holding chamber 103A and the fourth holding chamber 103B in the direction of gravity. In this case, the adjacent side surface 103Ac of the third holding chamber 103A and the adjacent side surface 103Be of the fourth holding chamber 103B are unparallel to each other as seen from a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 110. With such an arrangement, even if all the washing solution held in either one of the chambers is transferred to the main chamber 107, the other chamber may hold at least a part of the washing solution. Therefore, the washing solution may be transferred to the main chamber 107 from the third holding chamber 103A and the fourth holding chamber 103B selectively at different timings in the case where the rotation angle of the sample analysis substrate 163 is appropriately selected.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, as seen from a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 110, angle α of the adjacent side surface 103Ac with respect to a straight line connecting the center of the main chamber 107 and the rotation shaft 110 is larger than angle R of the adjacent side surface 103Be with respect to the straight line. Therefore, in the case where the sample analysis substrate 163 is rotated counterclockwise from a rotation angle at which the third holding chamber 103A and the fourth holding chamber 103B are located below the main chamber 107 in the direction of gravity (rotation angle at which P1 in FIG. 22 matches the direction of 6 o'clock), the adjacent side surface 103Ac first becomes parallel to a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity (becomes horizontal). As a result, all the washing solution in the third holding chamber 103A is selectively transferred to the main chamber 107. Then, the washing solution held in the fourth holding chamber 103B is selectively transferred to the main chamber 107.

Other Modifications

In this embodiment, a measurement system using magnetic particles is assumed. The sample analysis substrate, the sample analysis device, the sample analysis system and the program for the sample analysis system in an embodiment according to the present application are not limited to the measurement system using the magnetic particles. For example, the target on which the primary antibody is immobilized may be a wall in the chamber instead of the magnetic particle. Namely, in the case where the chamber is formed of a material such as polystyrene, polycarbonate or the like, the primary antibody may be immobilized to the wall in the chamber by physical adsorption and a binding reaction with the antigen or the labeled antibody in a sandwich manner may be caused in the chamber. Alternatively, in the case where a functional group bindable with the primary antibody (e.g., amino group or carboxyl group) is provided on the wall in the chamber, the primary antibody may be immobilized by chemical bonding and a binding reaction with the antigen or the labeled antibody in the sandwich manner may be caused in the chamber. In the case where the wall in the chamber includes a metal substrate, the primary antibody may be bound and immobilized to the metal substrate by use of, for example, SAM and a binding reaction with the antigen or the labeled antibody in the sandwich manner may be caused in the chamber. Immobilization of the primary antibody to the wall in the chamber by physical adsorption or chemical bonding is mainly usable for a system detecting a signal such as colorant, chemical light emission or fluorescence. By contrast, immobilization of the primary antibody to the metal substrate is mainly used for a system detecting an electrochemical signal (e.g., electric current) or electrochemical light emission signal. In this case, the magnet 121 shown in FIG. 3B is not necessary. The reaction field in which the complex body 310 is formed is not the reaction chamber 106, but is the main chamber 107. Therefore, the primary antibody needs to be immobilized to the wall of the main chamber 107.

The sample analysis substrate, the sample analysis device, the sample analysis system and the program for the sample analysis system according to this disclosure are applicable to a competitive immunoassay and a gene detection method by use of hybridization as well as the sandwich immunoassay.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of washing for the B/F separation is described. The sample analysis substrate, the sample analysis device and the sample analysis system in this embodiment are applicable to any of various sample analysis methods in which a solution other than the washing solution is introduced into the chamber as being divided into a plurality of portions as described above. In the above-described embodiment, the liquid is continuously introduced into the chamber. Alternatively, the operation of rotating and stopping the sample analysis substrate, and the angle at which the sample analysis substrate is stopped, may be controlled appropriately, so that another step(s) may be performed during the introduction.

In the above-described embodiment, the washing is performed twice. The washing may be performed three or more times optionally.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The sample analysis substrate, the sample analysis device, the sample analysis system and the program for the sample analysis system disclosed in the present application are applicable to analysis of a specific component in a specimen using any of various reactions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100 sample analysis substrate -   100′ substrate -   100 a base plate -   100 b cover plate -   100 c, 100 d main surface -   100 f wall portion -   101 first holding chamber -   101 a 1 first outer side surface -   101 a 2 second outer side surface -   101 b 1 first inner side surface -   101 b 2 second inner side surface -   101 c, 101 d adjacent side surface -   101 r protruding portion -   102 second holding chamber -   102A first sub chamber -   102B second sub chamber -   102Ba outermost side surface -   102Be capillary space -   102 a outermost side surface -   102 b innermost side surface -   102 be capillary space -   102 c 1 first adjacent side surface -   102 c 2 second adjacent side surface -   102 e second region -   102 q first portion -   102 r second portion -   102 re capillary space -   102 s recessed portion -   103, 103A third holding chamber -   103Aa outermost side surface -   103Ac adjacent side surface -   103B fourth holding chamber -   103Ba outermost side surface -   103Bc adjacent side surface -   103 a outermost side surface -   103 b innermost side surface -   104 first storage chamber -   104 a outermost side surface -   105, 105A second storage chamber -   105B third storage chamber -   105 a outermost side surface -   106 reaction chamber -   106 a outermost side surface -   107 main chamber -   107 a outermost side surface -   107 e second region -   107 f first region -   108 recovery chamber -   108 b innermost side surface -   110 rotation shaft -   111 first flow path -   111 g opening -   111 h opening -   112 second flow path -   112 g opening -   112 h opening -   112 q first portion -   112 qe first region -   112 qf second region -   112 r second portion -   113 third flow path -   113 g, 113 h opening -   113 m second bending portion -   113 n first bending portion -   114 fourth flow path -   114 g, 114 h opening -   115 fifth flow path -   115A fifth flow path -   115B ninth flow path -   115 g, 115 h opening -   116, 116A sixth flow path -   116Ag, 116Bg opening -   116B tenth flow path -   116 b second portion -   116 g opening -   116 h second opening -   116 q first portion -   116 qe first region -   116 qf second region -   116 r second portion -   117 seventh flow path -   117 g opening -   117 h opening -   118 eighth flow path -   120 accommodation chamber -   120 a opening -   121 magnet -   122 air hole -   123 opening -   133 third holding chamber -   133 p coupling portion -   133 q first portion -   133 qa bottom portion -   133 qt side portion -   133 qt′, 133 qt″ portion -   133 r second portion -   133 re portion -   161, 162, 163 sample analysis substrate -   200 sample analysis device -   201 motor -   201 a turntable -   203 origin detector -   203 a light source -   203 b light receiving element -   203 c origin detection circuit -   204 rotation angle detection circuit -   205 control circuit -   206 driving circuit -   207 optical measurement unit -   210 marker -   210 a edge -   210 b edge -   302 magnetic particle -   304 primary antibody -   305 magnetic particle-immobilized antibody -   306 antigen -   307 labeling substance -   308 labeled antibody -   310 complex body -   311 magnetic particle -   501 sample analysis system 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sample analysis substrate rotatable to transfer a liquid, the sample analysis substrate comprising: a substrate including a rotation shaft; a first holding chamber located in the substrate, the first holding chamber having a first space usable to hold a first liquid; a second holding chamber located in the substrate, the second holding chamber having a second space usable to hold the first liquid discharged from the first holding chamber; a main chamber located in the substrate, the main chamber having a third space usable to hold the first liquid discharged from the second holding chamber; a first flow path located in the substrate, the first flow path having a first opening and a second opening respectively connected with the first holding chamber and the second holding chamber; and a second flow path located in the substrate, the second flow path having a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected with the second holding chamber and the main chamber, the third opening being closer to the rotation shaft than the fourth opening; wherein: the first holding chamber includes a portion that is farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the first opening; the second holding chamber includes a portion that is farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the second opening, an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft and an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface; the third opening of the second flow path is located in the adjacent side surface; and the second holding chamber includes a capillary cavity connecting the outermost side surface and a portion where the third opening is located to each other.
 2. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1; wherein the second flow path is a capillary channel.
 3. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, wherein the capillary cavity is located along the adjacent side surface.
 4. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, wherein the second flow path is a flow path in which the first liquid is movable by a gravitational force.
 5. The sample analysis substrate of claim 4, wherein: the second holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft and an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface; and the third opening of the second flow path is located in the adjacent side surface.
 6. The sample analysis substrate of claim 5, wherein in the adjacent side surface of the second holding chamber, the third opening of the second flow path is located away from the outermost side surface.
 7. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, wherein the first holding chamber has first and second outer side surfaces not overlapping each other in a radial direction of the substrate, and the first side surface is located farther from the rotation shaft than the second outer side surface.
 8. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, wherein the first holding chamber and the second flow path are aligned with each other in a radial direction of the substrate, and the second flow path is located farther from the rotation shaft than the first holding chamber.
 9. The sample analysis substrate of claim 8, wherein the second holding chamber includes a first portion adjacent to the first holding chamber in a circumferential direction of the substrate and a second portion adjacent to the second flow path in the circumferential direction of the substrate.
 10. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, wherein the second holding chamber includes a first sub chamber adjacent to the first holding chamber in a circumferential direction of the substrate, a second sub chamber adjacent to the first flow path in the circumferential direction of the substrate; and a third flow path connecting the first sub chamber and the second sub chamber to each other.
 11. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, further comprising a magnet located close to the main chamber.
 12. The sample analysis substrate of claim 11, wherein the magnet is located close to an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft among side surfaces of the main chamber.
 13. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, further comprising: a recovery chamber located in the substrate, the recovery chamber being farther from the rotation shaft than the main chamber; and a third flow path located in the substrate, the third flow path having openings at both of two ends thereof, the openings at both of the two ends being respectively connected with the main chamber and the recovery chamber.
 14. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, further comprising: a third holding chamber located in the substrate, the third holding chamber having a fourth space usable to hold a second liquid; and a sixth flow path located in the substrate; the sixth flow path including a channel connecting the third holding chamber and the main chamber to each other and being allowed to be filled with the second liquid by a capillary action; wherein: the sixth flow path has openings at both of two ends thereof, the openings at both of the two ends being respectively connected with the main chamber and the third holding chamber; and a part of the sixth flow path is located closer to the rotation shaft than a part of the third holding chamber, with one of the openings being located between the part of the sixth flow path and the part of the third holding chamber.
 15. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, further comprising: a third holding chamber located in the substrate, the third holding chamber having a fourth space usable to hold a second liquid; and a sixth flow path located in the substrate, the sixth flow path including a channel connecting the third holding chamber and the main chamber to each other and being allowed to be filled with the second liquid by a capillary action; wherein: the fourth space of the third holding chamber includes a first portion, a second portion, and a coupling portion located between the first portion and the second portion, the coupling portion coupling the first portion and the second portion to each other; the substrate includes a wall portion separating the first portion and the second portion of the fourth space from each other; the main chamber is located farther from a control shaft than the second portion of the fourth space; the coupling portion of the fourth space is located closer to the rotation shaft, than the wall portion of the substrate; and the sixth flow path is connected with the second portion of the fourth space.
 16. The sample analysis substrate of claim 1, further comprising: a third holding chamber and a fourth holding chamber located in the substrate, the third holding chamber and the fourth holding chamber respectively having a fourth space and a fifth space respectively usable to hold a second liquid and a third liquid; a sixth flow path including a channel connecting the third holding chamber and the main chamber to each other, the sixth flow path being usable to transfer the second liquid; and a tenth flow path including a channel connecting the fourth holding chamber and the main chamber to each other, the tenth flow path being usable to transfer the second liquid; wherein: the second holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft, an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface, and a recessed portion formed by the outermost side surface and the adjacent side surface; and the third holding chamber has an outermost side surface located farthest from the rotation shaft, an adjacent side surface adjacent to the outermost side surface, and a recessed portion formed by the outermost side surface and the adjacent side surface, and the adjacent side surface of the second holding chamber and the adjacent side surface of the third holding chamber are unparallel to each other as seen from a direction parallel to the rotation shaft.
 17. A sample analysis system, comprising: the sample analysis substrate of claim 1; and a sample analysis device including: a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate about the rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller; a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of a rotation shaft of the motor; a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based on the program; wherein in the case where the sample analysis substrate having the first holding chamber filled with the first liquid is mounted on the sample analysis device, the program: (a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; (b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at the predetermined sixth angle to fill the second flow path with a part of the liquid transferred to the second holding chamber by a capillary action; and (c) rotates the sample analysis substrate to move the first liquid filling the second flow path to the main chamber by a centrifugal force.
 18. A sample analysis system, comprising: the sample analysis substrate of claim 1; and a sample analysis device including: a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate about the rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller; a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of a rotation shaft of the motor; a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based on the program; wherein in the case where the sample analysis substrate having the first holding chamber filled with the first liquid is mounted on the sample analysis device, the program: (a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; and (b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined seventh angle to transfer the first liquid in the second holding chamber to the main chamber via the second flow path by a gravitational force.
 19. The sample analysis system of claim 17, wherein: the sample analysis device further includes an optical measurement unit; and the program (c) causes the optical measurement unit to perform optical measurement on the first liquid transferred to the main chamber.
 20. A sample analysis device, comprising: a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate of claim 1 about the rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller; a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of a rotation shaft of the motor; a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based on the program; wherein in the case where the sample analysis substrate having the first holding chamber filled with the first liquid is mounted on the sample analysis device, the program: (a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; and (b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined seventh angle to transfer the first liquid in the second holding chamber to the main chamber via the second flow path by a gravitational force.
 21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for a sample analysis system, the sample analysis system including: the sample analysis substrate of claim 1; and a sample analysis device including: a motor rotating the sample analysis substrate about the rotation shaft in the state where the rotation shaft is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and 90 degrees or smaller; a rotation angle detection circuit detecting a rotation angle of a rotation shaft of the motor; a driving circuit controlling the rotation of the motor and the rotation angle at which the motor stops, based on a result of the detection of the rotation angle detection circuit; and a control circuit including an operator, a memory and a program stored on the memory so as to be executable by the operator, the control circuit controlling an operation of the motor, the rotation angle detection circuit and the driving circuit based on the program; wherein the program: (a) stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined sixth angle to transfer the first liquid in the first holding chamber to the second holding chamber via the first flow path by a gravitational force; and (b) rotates the sample analysis substrate and stops the sample analysis substrate at a predetermined seventh angle to transfer the first liquid in the second holding chamber to the main chamber via the second flow path by a gravitational force. 